Tuesday, 25 August 2009

I was intrigued by the light in the sky towards the end of the afternoon when snow had been falling for a couple of hours and the sun tried to peek through the clouds. It was a spectacular scene from the mountain.

Monday, 24 August 2009

If Ohakune is the carrot capital of New Zealand, then Taihape is the gumboot capital of the world. Gumboot Day was first held in 1985 and features the famous gumboot throwing competition. This giant gumboot, made of corrugated iron, is another hilarious kiwiana sculpture for New Zealand travellers to enjoy.

Fred Dagg explains it best: If it weren't for your gumboots, where would you be?

Sunday, 23 August 2009

This giant carrot, unveiled in 1984, is a New Zealand icon. Ohakune, a small ski town in the central North Island, considers itself the carrot capital of New Zealand and holds an annual carrot carnival. This weekend was my first visit to Ohakune, apart from an overnight stay many years ago, and I was keen to get a shot of this hilarious symbol of kiwiana.

Thursday, 20 August 2009

This is an unusual sight in Wellington - an umbrella that has survived the wind and hasn't turned itself inside out! Maybe the secret was bolting it to the ground? It makes a welcome change seeing this umbrella protect people from the sunshine than the usual array of winter elements.

Monday, 17 August 2009

This unusual sculpture resides along Wellington's waterfront. As you can probably imagine, he provides a great prop for creative photos and is an excellent conversation opener. He also finds himself mysterious dressed or decked out in special outfits depending on what events are happening in Wellington at the time.

Friday, 14 August 2009

This Kupe group statue was created in plaster of paris by sculptor, William Trethewey, and featured at the 1940 NZ Centennial Exhibition at Rongotai. In 1999, the statue was cast in bronze as a millennium project and unveiled on 4 March 2000 as a tribute to all who have come to these shores.

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

This is one of the many large-scale sculptures in public places around Wellington. It is the first time I have really noticed it from the staircase above (looking down from The Terrace) as opposed to viewing it front on from Woodward Street.

Sunday, 9 August 2009

I love the pencilled hamburg design of this happy hen. I bought the magnet when I visited the Happy Hens outlet in Dunedin last year. I would love a set of the ceramic hens in this design when I have a kitchen big enough to make their home. In the meantime, my fridge magnet is a lovely reminder and will have to suffice.

Tuesday, 4 August 2009

John Plimmer is said to be the father of Wellington, having served on regional councils during the mid-19th century. It is rare for this alleyway where his sculpture is stationed to be clear of passersby during the day, and I couldn't resist taking a quick shot.

Here is my own personal Project 365: How to take a photo a day and see your life in a whole new way. I am excited to see where the project will find me at the end of one year. I may not always take a photo each day, and will probably upload my pictures in batches, so we'll see how that works!This site hosts my daily photos and accompanying captions.